Watch: Uruguay players enter stands after Copa America semifinal defeat, throw punches at Colombian fans

Ugly scenes erupted at the Bank of America Stadium in Charlotte on Wednesday after Uruguay's defeat against Colombia in the Copa America semifinal.
Some of the Uruguay players, including Liverpool's Darwin Nunez, climbed up the stands and could be seen involved in a physical altercation with Colombian supporters, allegedly to safeguard their family members from unruly fans.
Video footage captured Nunez throwing multiple punches at the fans after entering the spectator area following the tense 1-0 defeat. The atmosphere had been heated throughout the match, and tensions boiled over after the final whistle.

Jose Maria Gimenez, Uruguay's central defender, explained that the players' actions were motivated by concern for the well-being of their family members and loved ones who were present at the stadium. The players felt compelled to intervene to ensure their safety amidst the volatile situation..
"This is a disaster. Our family was in danger. We had to go to the stands to take out our loved ones, with tiny newborn babies," the Atletico Madrid player was quoted by AFP.
"There was not a single police officer...I hope those who are organising this are a little more careful with the families. Every game it's been happening because there are people who don't know how to handle a couple of drinks."

The altercation persisted for several minutes until law enforcement finally stepped in to restore order.
Long after the majority of the spectators had exited the stadium, a group of approximately 80-100 Uruguayan fans remained on the field.

Following Colombia's triumph, unsightly incidents also erupted on the pitch after the final whistle, with players and staff from both sides engaging in a massive brawl in the centre-circle.
The stadium was filled predominantly with Colombian fans, but there was no separation between them and the Uruguayan fans.